Destinations - Florianópolis & Santa Catarina

Description

Florianópolis is the capital of Santa Catarina state, located on an island in the South of Brazil. The natural beauty of the island, beaches and bays make it a popular tourist center. 

Also called the "Magic Island", Florianópolis is well worth a visit in account of its pristine nature, interesting culture - there are many local fishing communities and forts, and the variety of beaches - over 40 on the island. The many lagoons, waterfalls, towering sand dunes and beautiful views make the island very attractive. Florianópolis also has a very lively nightlife with bars, clubs and many restaurants serving the local sea food. The water is cold during the winter months, but activities such surfing, hiking and other nature related activities are still possible.

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Garopaba and Praia do Rosa

One of the most beautiful beaches of Southern Brazil, Praia do Rosa  is the breeding ground of the Southern Right Whales. It is situated 81 km South of Florianópolis. The water is cold in the winter but the area is very beautiful and offers nature related activities such as surfing, horse riding, hiking and whale watching. The Southern Right Whales are found in Southern Brazil from July to November. Extensively hunted in the past for oil and meat, they are now protected and a recuperation program is undergoing. 

Blumenau

Blumenau is one of the most important cities in the State of Santa Catarina; the city, distant 139 km from the capital Florianopolis, was built close to where the river Itajai meets the affluents Testo, Itoupava, Velha and Garcia. Average temperature is 21 C; the southern States of Brazil are below the Tropic of Capricorn Line, with a climate more similar to the temperated Germany than the rest of Brazil.
Blumenau was founded in 1850 by German immigrant Hermann Otto Blumenau and other sixteen fellow countrymen; they were impressed with the fertility of the soil in the Itajai Valley and the agricultural potential of Brazil.
The colony founded by Herman had, in 1880, 15,000 inhabitants, practically all of them Germans (there was not miscegenation between the immigrants and the Brazilians); in 1894, the colony was elevated to the status of city.
Even though the initial settlers had the intention to develop an agricultural colony, many of the immigrants which arrived later had other skills, which changed the business orientation of the city; in the century XX, Blumenau became an industrial city.
In 2000, the city had 261,505 inhabitants; many people in the rural area of Blumenau still speak German and live by German traditions. Blumenau and the surrounding cities make up of the most important textile clusters in the world; the metalic and machinery sectors are also relevant in the economy of the region.
Visit the Blumenau official site
In the 1980s, Blumenau was hit by a severe flood; the waters of Itajai damaged a good part of the city. As a means to collect reconstruction funds, a party - the Oktoberfest - was organized, mirrored on the event with the same name which happens in Munich. The Oktboberfest became a tradition, happening every year from 10 to 27 October; it's one of the most popular parties in Brazil, with over 1,000,000 visitants.

Activities

City tours and shopping for local artcraft, guided nature tours, cruises around the bay to visit the Fortresses from the colonial times, and relaxing on the beautiful beaches. For the adventurous, radical sports such as surfing, sandboarding on the sand dunes, scuba diving in the Marine Park nearby, water skiing, rappel, rafting and paragliding are some of the options. 

Packages including Florianópolis

- Florianópolis & Praia do Rosa Whale Watching- 05 days

- Rio de Janeiro & Florianópolis- 08 days

- Other Packages

Accommodation

A good range of hotels, pousadas and resorts.        

Weather 

Tour 2 - City tour (about 3 hours)- Center and East. Panoramic tour visiting the Alfândega Largo, Metropolitan Cathedral (1675), Square XV of November, Palace Cruz e Souza, Theater Álvaro de Carvalho, Square Tancredo Neves, Administrative Center, Lookout of Bridge Hercilio Luz, Avenue Beira-Mar Norte, Cruz Hill (the highest lookout point of the city), Government Palace and University city, Sete Voltas Hill, Eastern Lookout, Conceição Lagoon, Church Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Joaquina Beach, Mole Beach and Barra da Lagoa

Tour 3 - Floripa Total (about 8 hours): Center: Panoramic tour to the Alfandega Largo, Civic Center, Metropolitan Cathedral (1675), Square XV of November, Palace Cruz e Souza and Lookout of Bridge Hercilio Luz. South: Morro das Pedras (Stone's Hill), South Lookout, Peri Lagoon, Armação Beach, Pantano do Sul Fishing village. East: Conceição Lagoon, Joaquina Beach, Mole Beach and Barra da Lagoa. North: English Beach, Ponta das Canas beach, Brave Beach Lookout, Cachoeira do Bom Jesus beach, Jurerê Beach, Fort of São José da Ponta Grossa (1740).

Tour 4 - Laguna, Garopaba and Guarda do Embaú (about 8 hours): This tour visits Laguna (the second oldest city in Santa Catarina State)with its historical center, many Azorian old houses and the house of Anita Garibaldi. Guarda do Embaú is a beautiful beach with an amazing landscape, rated among the best beaches of Brazil. The beaches of Garopaba, Ferrugem and Rosa have fantastic views, among hills, dunes, islands, lagoons and the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlantic Forest.

Tour 5- Urubici, São Joaquim and Highlands of Rio do Rastro (about 12 hours)-  Trip through the valleys, fields and hills of the Highlands, seeing the interior of the state and unforgettable views. Visit to Uribici, discovering the megalithic monuments, canyons with waterfalls and green valleys. Visit to São Joaquim and descend .from the highlands through the "Rio do Rastro Serra", a 6 km road sculpted in the mountains, with a hight of 1450 meters, amidst waterfalls and the forest. Unforgettable experience!

Tour 6 - Joinville and São Francisco do Sul- (about 12 hours): Visit to the main tourist attractions of Joinville, the biggest city of Santa Catarina State. Its natural beauty and cultural richness are shown in the german architecture and flower beds. Joinville is known as the brazilian capital of the Dance, holding the biggest dance festival in the country and having the only ballet school of Bolshoi outside Russia. Founded in 1504, São Francisco do Sul is considered the third oldest city in Brazil, with a preserved colonial architecture and many properties protected by the National Historical Heritage. 

Tour 7 - Rural Tourism in Santo Amaro da Imperatriz (about 6 hours): Situated 40 km from Florianópolis, Santo Amaro has termal waters with a temperature of 39oC and therapeutic properties, considered one of the best in the world. Optional: rafting in the local rivers.

Tour 8 - Beto Carrero World- (about 12 hours): tour to the biggest Leisure Center of Latin America, with shows, amusement park, zoo and many other attractions. 

Tour 9 - Camboriú, Porto Belo and Bombinhas (about 9 hours): visit to the beautiful locations of Porto Belo and Bombinhas, part of the Emerald Coast, with many bays and beaches of clear waters. Visit to Balneário Camboriú and the main touristic attractions and Laranjeiras Beach. Optional tour to Unipraias Park with 47 cable cars and beautiful views.